trivialhirsute
New Member
- Location
- London
You've all given me some amazing advice - I'll let you know how I get on soon, but unfortunately I've been lumbered with swine flu! No cycling for me for a while. In fact, no outdoors at all!
My commute isn't getting easier!
- Thread starter trivialhirsute
- Start date
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HobbesChoice
New Member
- Location
- Essex
trivialhirsute said:
Sorry to hear that!
On the bright side, maybe your immune system has been a little low recently which has taken some energy and enthusiasm away? I hope you get better soon and that when you do it's with renewed enthusiasm for cycling after your forced rest.Take lots of care (even better, make others take lots of care of you!)
To add to all the great advice you've already received, I would suggest going on some group rides over longer distances.
Have a look in the CC ride section and find one around London that you can attend. There is always a ride in the making, and they are suitable for all abilities.
I found that going on longer slower rides really helped with my fitness and made my commute so much easier. If you can do a 50+ mile ride then a 5-10 mile commute is nothing.
There's a ride at the end of month starting from Richmond Park to Box Hill and back. It will be at a nice easy pace, and no-one ever gets left at the back on their own, and there will be a nice lunch break before returning.
It's on a saturday so you've got all day Sunday to recover. Check your calendar and sign up now
Make a habit of it and your commute will soon be a breeze.
In just over a year I've gone from struggling with my 7 mile each way commute to doing 100+ miles in a day. Rarely does a month go by without me going on at least one CC ride.
You'll also meet some great people and the time will just fly by.
As a side thought, make sure your bike is set up correctly. If your saddle's too low it can really make your legs ache (imaging walking around with bent knees all day)
Hope you feel better soon, and let us know how you get on.
Have a look in the CC ride section and find one around London that you can attend. There is always a ride in the making, and they are suitable for all abilities.
I found that going on longer slower rides really helped with my fitness and made my commute so much easier. If you can do a 50+ mile ride then a 5-10 mile commute is nothing.
There's a ride at the end of month starting from Richmond Park to Box Hill and back. It will be at a nice easy pace, and no-one ever gets left at the back on their own, and there will be a nice lunch break before returning.
It's on a saturday so you've got all day Sunday to recover. Check your calendar and sign up now
Make a habit of it and your commute will soon be a breeze.
In just over a year I've gone from struggling with my 7 mile each way commute to doing 100+ miles in a day. Rarely does a month go by without me going on at least one CC ride.
You'll also meet some great people and the time will just fly by.
As a side thought, make sure your bike is set up correctly. If your saddle's too low it can really make your legs ache (imaging walking around with bent knees all day)
Hope you feel better soon, and let us know how you get on.
hackbike 666
Guest
HobbesChoice said:Sorry to hear that!
Take lots of care (even better, make others take lots of care of you!)
I get the impression this happened to me also....With gear trouble I had to use my new bike which had only done 50 miles till this week.
I have started eating breakfast and have also gone a bit mad for all bran...Just bought 4 boxes on the way home tonight.
I have returned to form a bit and wasn't bad on the commute back tonight even though I have beeen up since 4am and also have done 3 long jobs over the past 5 days.
I reckon I have too much weight on the other bike though.
johnr
Über Member
- Location
- Grand depart 2014 county (east)
I've come late to this, so forgive any repetition. First up, 20-25 minutes is a huge chunk off a 5-10 mile commute. The bad news, if my experience is anything to go by, is that that's it for big gains 
. Once I got up to speed on my commute, I've sometimes gone 5 minutes faster than usual, but on the whole, wind, traffic etc negate extra effort.
Maybe one reason you're wasted when you get in is the final incline. Try treating it like an out and out hill; make sure you're spinning easily in a comfortable gear; change down if you need to and get off an walk if it really is corpsing you - it's an urban environment, there's a million reasons to stop
.
Recover properly when you've finished the ride. You don't have to go for expensive products: a skimmed milk banana milk shake with extra sugar and a sit down after getting changed does me the word of good if I feel I've done a bit more than I was up to.
If you think you have been pushing it too hard, try taking a proper break to let your legs get over it. I'm always better after a couple of days off the bike on days off. We have a two week holiday every year on a small island with no roads - no riding at all. When I get back on the bike again I feel like I could give Bradley Wiggins a run for his money.
Finally (and apologies if this is patronising), is your bike in peak condition? Hard tyres and regular checks on chain and cassette make my ride feel easier, even though the time gain is marginal
.
I have a rural commute, so I get to look around and enjoy the subtle day-to-day differences as the days, weeks and seasons roll around. Every now and then I get 'perfect' days when the environment - natural and vehicular - barely intrude, the bike and I seem to work as one and the journey home is over far too soon... probably not safe in central London. But if adjustments are possible to include quieter stretches, 'perfect' moments may be possible.
The time you've knocked off already is a big, big achievement. Give yourself a break!
. Once I got up to speed on my commute, I've sometimes gone 5 minutes faster than usual, but on the whole, wind, traffic etc negate extra effort.Maybe one reason you're wasted when you get in is the final incline. Try treating it like an out and out hill; make sure you're spinning easily in a comfortable gear; change down if you need to and get off an walk if it really is corpsing you - it's an urban environment, there's a million reasons to stop
.Recover properly when you've finished the ride. You don't have to go for expensive products: a skimmed milk banana milk shake with extra sugar and a sit down after getting changed does me the word of good if I feel I've done a bit more than I was up to.
If you think you have been pushing it too hard, try taking a proper break to let your legs get over it. I'm always better after a couple of days off the bike on days off. We have a two week holiday every year on a small island with no roads - no riding at all. When I get back on the bike again I feel like I could give Bradley Wiggins a run for his money.
Finally (and apologies if this is patronising), is your bike in peak condition? Hard tyres and regular checks on chain and cassette make my ride feel easier, even though the time gain is marginal
.I have a rural commute, so I get to look around and enjoy the subtle day-to-day differences as the days, weeks and seasons roll around. Every now and then I get 'perfect' days when the environment - natural and vehicular - barely intrude, the bike and I seem to work as one and the journey home is over far too soon... probably not safe in central London. But if adjustments are possible to include quieter stretches, 'perfect' moments may be possible
.The time you've knocked off already is a big, big achievement. Give yourself a break!
Pump your tyres up hard and oil your chain.
Get enough sleep every night and start the day with a good breakfast.
Use a lower gear than you're used to. Spinning little gears fast feels wrong at first but is less tiring than mashing big ones.
Don't worry about speed at all. Slow will get you there.
When it starts to get easier, then up your speed once in a while to improve fitness.
Don't start cycling again until the flu has gone. Give it a couple of weeks to make sure, in fact at this time of year perhaps give it a couple of months.
Get enough sleep every night and start the day with a good breakfast.
Use a lower gear than you're used to. Spinning little gears fast feels wrong at first but is less tiring than mashing big ones.
Don't worry about speed at all. Slow will get you there.
When it starts to get easier, then up your speed once in a while to improve fitness.
Don't start cycling again until the flu has gone. Give it a couple of weeks to make sure, in fact at this time of year perhaps give it a couple of months.
